Land Conservancy to present findings from Niagara Escarpment Legacy Project

by jmaloni

Submitted

Fri, Apr 25th 2014 08:55 am

At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, Western New York
Land Conservancy will present findings from the Niagara Escarpment Legacy
Project at the Pekin Fire Hall, 3024 Upper Mountain Road, Sanborn. The
presentation is the culmination of more than a year of work. It is part of the
Land Conservancy's efforts to increase awareness of the importance of the
escarpment, and also to find ways to protect its important resources.

The Niagara Escarpment is a unique geologic
formation that extends from Wisconsin, through Ontario, and into Western New
York. The Niagara Escarpment Legacy Project is
the first comprehensive study of the cultural history and ecological features
of the portion of the Niagara Escarpment in Niagara County. The project, which
included field surveys of 20 properties along the escarpment during 2013, was
funded by a $316,673 grant from the Niagara River Greenway Ecological Standing
Committee. It was completed in partnership with Ecology & Environment Inc.,
with support from members of the Niagara Frontier Botanical Society. The
project was also supported by numerous elected officials in municipalities
along the escarpment, as well as many other stakeholders that formed the
project's steering committee.

Tim
DePriest, chairman of the Niagara River Greenway Ecological Standing Committee, said,
"The completion of this project is an important milestone for conservation on
the Niagara Escarpment. The Canadian side of the escarpment has been
well-studied, and even internationally designated as a Biosphere Reserve
because of its ecological diversity. We now know much more about the escarpment
in Niagara County, and have a strategy for protecting its most important
resources."

The
project paints a detailed portrait of the escarpment from scientific and
historical perspectives, and creates an argument for preserving the important
cultural and natural heritage that exists there.

Nancy Smith, executive director of the Land
Conservancy, said, "The escarpment is a
geological marvel; a treasure trove of ecological diversity; a scenic wonder;
and a living history exhibit. The escarpment holds flora, fauna, fossils,
soils, waterways and wetlands in an astonishing variety for so small an area of
land."

State
Sen. George D. Maziarz said, "The Niagara Escarpment has played a prominent
role in the history of our region, yet many are unaware of its importance. This
project will help draw more attention to the escarpment and bring visitors to
its numerous attractions, like the many great parks and preserves along its
ridges, the wineries it is home to, and the Erie Canal locks in Lockport."

Over
the centuries, the Niagara Escarpment has played host to human activities from
groups as varied as Native Americans, European settlers, armies, escaping
African-American slaves, farmers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, miners and
commercial shippers. Despite the constant and sometimes destructive activity of
its human inhabitants and visitors, the escarpment has shown itself to be
forgiving, resilient, and constantly awe-inspiring. However, WNYLC members said
the escarpment needs careful stewardship if it is to remain such a valuable and
timeless resource.

The
project sets goals for the conservation, restoration and future stewardship of
this unique landscape, including the identification of specific properties that
will be considered for future preservation, and then outlines strategies that
stakeholders from the private and public sector can use to reach those goals. It
also recommends funding sources.

The
Land Conservancy has begun working with owners of priority properties to find
voluntary and mutually beneficial ways of preserving their land.

Congressman Chris
Collins said, "I applaud the work of Land Conservancy and Ecology and
Environment, the stakeholders that contributed to the project, and the numerous
communities along the escarpment that supported this work. Protecting and
promoting the great natural and cultural resources along the Niagara Escarpment
will be good for our environment, economy and quality of life."

The presentation at
the Pekin Fire Hall is free and open to the public. Contact the Land
Conservancy with questions (call 716-687-1225 or email [email protected]). The full Niagara Escarpment
Legacy Project report will be available on the Land Conservancy's website soon
(www.wnylc.org).

The Western New York Land
Conservancy is a regional, not-for-profit land trust that has
helped protect more than 6,000 acres of land with significant conservation
values in Western New York for the benefit of future generations. The
organization is one of 1,700 land trusts nationwide, including 90 in New York,
which have protected 40 million acres over the past 20 years. For more
information on upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, or the mission of the
Western New York Land Conservancy, call 716-687-1225 or visit www.wnylc.org.